Agriculture: Bovine Semen

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to Section 40 of the Bovine Semen (England) Regulations 2007 (SI 2007/1319), whether the requirement for the Secretary of State to examine all bovine semen centres at least twice a year is required by European Union legislation; and, if so, what is the reference.

Lord Rooker: The conditions relating to Regulation 40 of the Bovine Semen (England) Regulations 2007 on official supervision of bovine semen centres reflect current European Union legislation requirements. Council Directive 88/407/EC (Annex A, Chapter II, 1C) as amended, states that a centre must be inspected by an official veterinarian at least twice a year in the context of standing checks on the conditions of approval and suspension. The official veterinarian here refers to a member of Animal Health acting as an agent of the Secretary of State in accordance with the definition of "official veterinarian" at Article 2 of Directive 88/407.
	Council Directive 88/407 was subject to an inspection mission undertaken by the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) carried out between 24 and 28 April 2006 in order to examine the UK's implementation of EU animal health legislation relating to intra-community trade in bovine semen. The FVO's draft report indicated that the UK was viewed to be in compliance with this particular issue.

Agriculture: Pigs and Poultry

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will initiate surveys of British pigs and poultry to discover the extent, if any, of infection by methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.

Lord Rooker: There is no current evidence that food-producing animals form a reservoir of infection by methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the UK, and the organism has not been detected in farmed livestock in the UK. Defra has initiated a study undertaken by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency to test S. aureus isolates obtained from bovine clinical submissions for MRSA. This project commenced in the autumn of 2006 and, to date, more than 500 samples have been tested, with no MRSA identified.
	The issue of MRSA in other livestock species was discussed at a January meeting of the Defra antimicrobial resistance co-ordination MRSA subgroup, set up to advise on how best the department can contribute to the knowledge and understanding of the role of MRSA in animals.
	Members felt that, at present, broadening the scope of work in this area should only be considered after analysis of the current findings relating to humans in the UK with MRSA infections. The particular strain of MRSA (ST 398) occurring in pigs in some other parts of Europe was not reported to have been detected so far in humans in the UK, and this was a key consideration in reaching the decision taken. However, the position will be kept under active review in future, taking into account the latest findings in humans and animals, as well as developments in Europe and elsewhere.
	The European Food Safety Authority is also looking at the issue of MRSA in food-producing animals and is considering what surveillance and other actions would be most appropriate for EU member states to undertake to address the issue. The UK is actively participating in the development of these proposals.

Agriculture: Pigs and Poultry

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will test imported live farm animals together with meat, in particular pig and poultry meat, for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, in the light of the prevalence of this infection in animals and meat in the Netherlands and other European Union countries.

Lord Rooker: The European Food Safety Authority is currently looking at the issue of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in food-producing animals and is considering what surveillance and other actions would be most appropriate for EU member states to undertake to address the issue. The UK is actively participating in the development of these proposals.
	The issue of MRSA in livestock is also kept under review by the Defra antimicrobial-resistance co-ordination (DARC) MRSA subgroup. The subgroup was set up to advise on how best the department can contribute to the knowledge and understanding of the role of MRSA in animals. The DARC assesses priorities for research and surveillance in MRSA, and includes cross-government representation.

Armed Forces: Future Aircraft Carrier

Lord Chidgey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment has been made of the importance of the future aircraft carrier programme to the defence industrial strategy in terms of maintaining a core strategic capability to design, build and provide through life support for such complex warships; and
	What assessment has been made of the extent to which future work streams in United Kingdom shipyards for naval vessels systems and propulsion unit designs are reliant on the advancement of the future aircraft carrier programme.

Lord Drayson: We expect current and planned programmes, including the future aircraft carrier programme, to ensure the retention of key skills and capabilities in the UK maritime industry in the short to medium term. The defence industrial strategy defined the key maritime industrial skills and capabilities we need to retain on shore to support the needs of the Royal Navy in the longer term. We are therefore working with the shipbuilding industry to agree the core workload required to sustain these high-end design, systems engineering and combat systems integration skills across the maritime sector.

Armed Forces: Future Aircraft Carrier

Lord Astor of Hever: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they require the maritime industry to consolidate before an announcement on the future carrier is made; what discussions they have had with the VT Group and BAE Systems on this consolidation; what progress industry has made to date; and how they have responded to this progress.

Lord Drayson: The defence industrial strategy is clear that we expect the UK maritime sector to consolidate now to ensure long-term balance in supply and demand post-future carrier (CVF) and to embed the right behaviours and benefits into ship build and support programmes. The MoD and the parties to the proposed BAE Systems and VT Shipbuilding joint venture have held extensive discussions, and we are jointly making good progress.

Army: Lisanelly Barracks

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much has been spent in the past five years on the maintenance and upgrading of Lisanelly Barracks, Omagh; and, for each year, in what respects, if any, the barracks were upgraded.

Lord Drayson: Over the past five years some £4,918,000 was spent on maintenance and improvement projects on Lisanelly Barracks. The annual figures were as follows:
	
		
			 2002-03 1,283,000 
			 2003-04 1,170,000 
			 2004-05 1,097,000 
			 2005-06 859,000 
			 2006-07 509,000 
		
	
	The major improvement projects for each year are detailed below:
	2002Extension to guardroomRefurbishment to swimming pool Improvement to soldiers' accommodationReplacement of street lightingImprovement to gymnasium.2003Upgrade to attack alarmDrying rooms in soldiers' accommodationModification to electrical distribution system.2004Conversion of use—cinema to training wingNew lifting platform in workshopBuilding refurbishmentEnhancement to security fenceCyclical decorationRemoval of sports pavilion and installation of temporary replacement.2005Provision of R IRISH resettlement centre2006No major works carried out.2007Closure services only.

British Citizenship

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the website of the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong states that a person who became a British overseas citizen at birth under Article 6(2) of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 would cease to be a British overseas citizen if his birth is registered with the Indian authorities; and under what provision of the law he would be deprived of the British overseas citizenship he has held since birth.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: There was an error in the information published on the website of our Consulate-General in Hong Kong. A person who became a British overseas citizen at birth under Article 6(2) of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 would not cease to be a British overseas citizen if his birth was registered with the Indian authorities. The website has now been amended accordingly.

Colombia: Captives

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will make representations to the Government of Colombia regarding the recent proposal for humanitarian exchanges of captives in that country put forward by Justice for Colombia and others; and, if so, how.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: My noble friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman, held discussions with a range of senior Colombian civil society figures, UK trade unions and Justice for Colombia on 26 June. The issue of humanitarian exchanges was a prominent theme at the meeting.
	At the meeting, my noble friend Lord Triesman drew attention to the G8's statement of support for President Uribe's recent decision to release a number of illegal armed group prisoners, and for the ongoing efforts of the French, Swiss and Spanish Governments. He agreed with participants that humanitarian initiatives of this kind offered the potential to contribute to the creation of a lasting path to peace in Colombia.
	My noble friend Lord Triesman issued a statement following the meeting, setting out the Government's views on this issue. The full text is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website at: www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename= OpenMarket/ Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391638 &a= KArticle&aid=1182951887630
	We have discussed with Colombian Government representatives in London and Bogota the issues raised at the meeting of 26 June with Colombian civil society, including humanitarian exchanges. In doing so, we have also expressed our outrage at the killings in June of 11 Colombian hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and extended our condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.

Commission for Rural Communities

Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 18 June (WA 7), which policies have changed as a result of advice from the Commission for Rural Communities.

Lord Rooker: In the nine months since its vesting, the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) has provided the Government with advice and evidence on a wide range of issues, including rural post offices, housing, migrant workers and deprivation. Over the same period, the commission's chair—who is also the Government's rural advocate—has had discussions with a number of Cabinet and other Ministers on a wide range of matters of importance to rural communities. Through such activities, the CRC is influencing a range of government policies in these areas, and future advice from the CRC will similarly contribute to government policy-making.

Cyprus: Mayors

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by the Minister for Europe, Mr Geoff Hoon, on 23 May (1314W), whether the only mayor democratically elected by the people who live in Famagusta is Mr Oktay Kayalp, a Turkish-Cypriot.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The UK maintains its policy of non-recognition of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". However, we do engage with a range of Turkish Cypriots in their capacity as representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community. It is in this capacity that we maintain contacts with Mr Oktay Kayalp, who shares the UK's support for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. We also maintain contacts with those Greek Cypriot mayors of cities in Northern Cyprus who are elected by their displaced former residents in absentia.

Cyprus: Mayors

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have taken steps to recognise Mr Oktay Kayalp and Mr Sumer Aygin as the democratically elected mayors of Famagusta and Kyrenia in Northern Cyprus.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The UK maintains its policy of non-recognition of the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". However, we do engage with a range of Turkish Cypriots in their capacity as representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community. It is in this capacity that we maintain contacts with Mr Oktay Kayalp and Mr Sumer Aygin, who share the UK's support for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation.

Cyprus: Property Compensation Scheme

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has approved the property compensation scheme established by the Government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; and whether they concur with the ruling of the ECHR.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) noted in its judgment of 7 December 2006 in Xenides-Arestis v Turkey (application no. 46347/99) judgment that,
	"the new compensation and restitution mechanism, in principle, has taken care of the requirements of the decision of the Court on admissibility of 14 March 2005 and the judgement on the merits of 22 December 2005. The Court points out that the parties failed to reach an agreement on the issue of just satisfaction where, like in the case of Broniowski v. Poland (friendly settlement and just satisfaction) ([GC], no. 31443/96, ECHR 2005-...), it would have been possible for the Court to address all the relevant issues of the effectiveness of this remedy in detail".
	Under Article 46(1) of the ECHR, the parties to the convention undertake to abide by the final judgment of the court in any case to which they are parties.

Cyprus: Property Compensation Scheme

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they propose to encourage Greek Cypriot claimants to property in Northern Cyprus to apply for compensation or reinstatement to the Property Commission in Northern Cyprus rather than to the United Kingdom courts.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: It is not for the Government to advise Greek Cypriots on how to pursue property-related claims.

Cyprus: Tourism

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the police (a) were consulted, or (b) gave advice to the management of The Bullring, Birmingham, in relation to the cancellation of a Northern Cyprus Tourism Office event to be held during 14 and 15 April; whether the police were aware of any threat in relation to the proposed event that would have created operational and safety reasons for cancellation; and, if so, what was the nature of that threat.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: West Midlands Police tell me that they were not aware of this event either being planned or cancelled on the dates mentioned.

Food: Labelling

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 4 June (WA 156-7), how the Food Standards Agency ensures that all necessary enforcement of labelling laws is carried out by food enforcement officers employed by local authorities.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: Enforcement of labelling laws is the responsibility of local authority food enforcement officers, and must be carried out in accordance with the food enforcement code of practice.
	The Food Standards Agency audits local authorities to check that enforcement of food labelling law is carried out to a satisfactory standard in accordance with this code of practice and the framework agreement.
	The framework agreement on local authority enforcement provides the agency with a mechanism for influencing and overseeing local authority enforcement, and to provide powers through the Food Standards Act to take appropriate action where necessary.

Food: Meat Hygiene Service

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to have an independent audit of the Meat Hygiene Service inspection system; if so, when this will be completed; and whether such a review will require the service to operate within a reduced budget closer to the current level of charge income from abattoirs.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The board of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) commissioned a review of the delivery of official controls in approved meat premises in October 2006. It is planning to consider the outcome of the review at its meeting in July 2007. The review is not an independent audit of the Meat Hygiene Service (MHS) but a wider look into a range of options for improving the effectiveness, including cost-effectiveness, of how official controls are delivered in approved meat plants. As the MHS is an agency of the FSA, the FSA board will decide the future budget for the MHS, taking into account the outcome of the review.

Food: Meat Imports

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the results from the United Kingdom border inspection posts in respect of imported poultry meat for each of the years 2003 to 2006 respectively; and from which countries substandard meat was identified; and
	How many of the United Kingdom border inspection post checks resulted in poultry meat or poultry-meat products being barred from entry.

Lord Rooker: The information requested is not held centrally for 2006. The figures for 2003 to 2005 are given below.
	
		
			 Imports of poultry meat and poultry meat products 2003 
			 Country of Origin Sum of No. of Consignments Sum of No. Rejected 
			 Argentina 92 1 
			 Australia 6 1 
			 Brazil 2,489 19 
			 Bulgaria 1 0 
			 Canada 6 2 
			 Cayman 1 1 
			 Chile 244 1 
			 China 2 2 
			 Cyprus 1 1 
			 Eygpt 1 0 
			 Ghana 1 1 
			 Hong Kong 1 0 
			 Hungary 3 0 
			 India 1 1 
			 Indonesia 1 1 
			 Israel 68 1 
			 Jamaica 3 3 
			 Japan 2 2 
			 Jordan 1 1 
			 Latvia 1 1 
			 Malaysia 6 4 
			 Mexico 2 2 
			 Morocco 1 1 
			 Nigeria 3 3 
			 Pakistan 2 2 
			 Poland 3 1 
			 Saudi Arabia 2 2 
			 Singapore 5 5 
			 South Africa 5 5 
			 Switzerland 1 0 
			 Thailand 3,545 31 
			 United Arab Emirates 2 2 
			 USA 86 24 
			 Vietnam 1 1 
			 Venezuela 1 1 
			 Grand Total 6,590 123 
		
	
	
		
			 Imports of poultry meat and poultry meat products 2004 
			 Country of Origin Sum of No. of Consignments Sum of No. Rejected 
			 Argentina 55 0 
			 Australia 6 0 
			 Brazil 2,665 30 
			 Canada 3 1 
			 Chile 225 3 
			 China 2 2 
			 Hong Kong 4 0 
			 Hungary 2 0 
			 Israel 46 2 
			 Japan 10 1 
			 Malaysia 1 0 
			 Nigeria 1 1 
			 Poland 3 0 
			 Saudi Arabia 2 2 
			 Singapore 24 18 
			 South Africa 1 0 
			 Thailand 4,146 35 
			 Turkey 2 2 
			 USA 18 1 
			 Grand Total 7,216 98 
		
	
	
		
			 Imports of poultry meat and poultry meat products 2005 
			 Country of Origin Sum of No. of Consignments Sum of No. Rejected 
			 Argentina 79 2 
			 Brazil 3,263 26 
			 Canada 14 0 
			 Chile 354 0 
			 Egypt 2 2 
			 Hong Kong 5 0 
			 India 1 1 
			 Indonesia 76 0 
			 Israel 38 1 
			 Japan 1 1 
			 Malaysia 3 3 
			 Russia 1 1 
			 Saudi Arabia 1 0 
			 Singapore 11 6 
			 Thailand 5,530 29 
			 United Arab Emirates 2 2 
			 USA 23 2 
			 Grand Total 9,404 76 
		
	
	The reasons for rejecting a consignment include:
	i. where the country from which poultry meat originates is not approved to export poultry meat to the EU; ii. where the information contained in the health certificate does not match the consignment;iii. where a health certificate does not give all the information required;iv. where the information contained in the health certificate does not match that required by the conditions of import;v. where there is a reason to believe that the required conditions of labelling, marking, storage or transport of the consignment does not meet the requirements of the conditions of import; orvi. where a consignment, although complying with all the requirements for certification, is not of acceptable quality because of deterioration; for example, rancidity or sweating.

Health: Cardiovascular Disease

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to consult National Health Service planning officials and relevant interest groups on reducing rates of cardio-vascular disease among black and minority ethnic groups down to the lower figures prevailing in the wider population.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The department is developing a comprehensive national stroke strategy that will be going out for consultation shortly and will be published in late 2007. This will promote delivery of the newest treatments and improve the care that stroke patients receive. It will also promote public awareness and prevention for all ethnic groups.
	The department has also provided Section 64 grants to fund the following projects:
	The Afiya Trust's "Stroke Awareness for Black and Minority Ethnic Communities" project will target black and minority ethnic communities and run stroke awareness sessions within community settings.The Stroke Association's "Blood Pressure Awareness: African Caribbean Communities" project will promote a blood pressure awareness campaign within African Caribbean communities in England.The Stroke Association's "Stroke Prevention: South Asian Communities" project raised awareness of stroke prevention through the production of materials and the dissemination and distribution of these materials.The "Coronary Artery Disease in South Asian Prevention" project provides education about cardiac risk factors, psychological support, nutrition management, medications, weight management, lipid lowering medication, physical activity and blood pressure control for the south Asian population.In December 2004, the department produced a best practice guide for providing coronary heart disease services to south Asians. Heart Disease and South Asians was published by the South Asian Health Foundation (SAHF) in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation. In 2004, the department part-funded another SAHF report, Prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of cardiovascular disease in South Asians, which aimed to convey this issue to a wide audience, enabling more people to understand the problems and take action to combat them. It included a chapter on cerebrovascular disease.In 2006, the Food Standards Agency provided a grant to the Stroke Association to create a survey to assess the eating habits and salt intake of African Caribbean, south Asian and Chinese communities. This aims to find out more about stroke awareness levels in relation to diet.

Irish Language Bill

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 25 June (WA 106) concerning the Irish Language Bill, whether the only group which lobbied for such a Bill was POBAL, the umbrella organisation for the Irish language community; and, if not, who were the other lobbyists; when they lobbied, and in what form their lobby took place.

Lord Rooker: Upon the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly, responsibility for this matter passed to the devolved Administration. Information on Irish language issues is held by the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure.
	The website for the Department for Culture, Arts and Leisure lists the groups which responded to the recent consultation on Irish language legislation: www.dcalni.gov.uk/index/languages/irish_language_ act.htm
	A copy of this has been placed in the Library.

Mental Health: Care Levels

Lord Dykes: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, following the David Bennett case and subsequent inquiries, care levels for black and minority ethnic groups in mental health cases have now reached the average levels for the wider population.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: In January 2005, the Government published Delivering Race Equality in Mental Health Care (DRE), a comprehensive five-year action plan for improving services for black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, alongside their response to the independent inquiry into the death of David Bennett. DRE has been designed to encourage more appropriate and responsive care, stronger engagement of BME communities with local mental health services, and better use of information and evidence. Progress has been made but there is more to be done, and implementation remains a priority.
	An important component of DRE is the annual "Count Me In" census of mental health inpatients undertaken by the Healthcare Commission and the Mental Health Act Commission. The results for 2005 and 2006 confirmed, among other things, that people from some BME groups are significantly more likely to be admitted to hospital and, in certain circumstances, more likely to be subject to compulsion in their treatment. The reasons underlying those results are complex and not yet fully understood; there is, for example, evidence suggesting a high incidence of severe mental illness among migrant populations globally and among BME groups in England specifically.

Northern Ireland: Speech by Peter Hain

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Northern Ireland Office bore the publication cost of the text of the speech "Peacemaking in Northern Ireland: A model for conflict resolution?" given by the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Peter Hain; how many copies were printed; on what basis the distribution list was drawn up; and what were the total costs, including distribution.

Lord Rooker: Six thousand copies of the publication, Peacemaking in Northern Ireland: A Model for Conflict Resolution?, were produced and distributed by the Northern Ireland Office, which bore the cost.
	The production cost for the document was £3,950, and it was distributed to a wide audience of individuals and organisations locally, nationally and internationally, selected because of their interest in Northern Ireland affairs. The distribution costs are not available as the pamphlet was distributed as part of normal departmental business by a mixture of Royal Mail and internal courier services.

Northern Ireland: Speech by Peter Hain

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What was the intention behind the publication of the text of the speech of the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mr Peter Hain, "Peacemaking in Northern Ireland: A model for conflict resolution?".

Lord Rooker: The publication responded to considerable interest, including international, in the peace process in Northern Ireland, bringing together factors guiding British Government policy in Northern Ireland and sharing some of the lessons learnt.

Prisons: Northern Ireland

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the prison capacity in Northern Ireland; and what is the percentage occupation at this time.

Lord Rooker: The Northern Ireland Prison Service certified normal accommodation is 1,513. At 2 July, the total prison population as a percentage of the certified normal accommodation was 98 per cent.

Roads: Heysham M6 Link

Lord Beaumont of Whitley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the latest estimate of the cost of the Heysham M6 link road; and when they expect to make a decision on approval for programme entry of the scheme following Lancashire council's business case submitted in July 2005.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Lancashire county council has informed the Department for Transport that the latest estimated outturn total cost for the Heysham to M6 link scheme is £140 million. We will not be in a position to make a decision on whether to grant the scheme programme entry until the forthcoming public inquiry into the planning application has reached a conclusion, the North West region has confirmed that it continues to support the scheme at the higher cost, and our assessment and appraisal of Lancashire's major scheme business case has been completed.

Roads: Speed Cameras

Lord Higgins: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they have assessed the validity of evidence from Gatso speed cameras bearing in mind that such evidence is based on the second of three photographs taken by the camera when the speed of the vehicle cannot be known, as opposed to the third, taken at the end of the speed check, when it can be known.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Gatso speed camera in fact takes two images only. The second is used in a secondary check of the speed indicated in the first, by enabling a time-over-distance calculation using the vehicle's position in relation to lines painted on the road. The device's initial measurement of speed is carried out by radar.
	The Gatso red light camera can generate three images. A third is taken only when a second red-light offence is detected during the time interval between the two photographs of the first offence. The speed shown on the images is for indicative purposes only; it is not used to prosecute for a speeding offence.
	Both the Gatso speed camera and the Gatso red-light camera have been type approved, so that their evidence is admissible in court. Type approval is granted only after rigorous evaluation of a device's practicality, reliability, accuracy and compliance with prescribed standards.

Transport: Smartcard Ticketing

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to enable smartcard bus concession passes in England to be capable of use for paid-for tickets for other smartcard-enabled services, including rail.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Department for Transport's preferred option, subject to consultation and discussions with suppliers, is to require that the English national concessionary travel pass must be an ITSO-compliant smartcard. It would be possible to load other ITSO products on these smartcards. These products could include prepaid tickets for other services that used ITSO smartcard readers.
	The Government have specified the introduction of ITSO smartcard ticketing in the South West Trains franchise, in the newly awarded East Midlands and West Midlands franchises and the specifications for the Cross Country and the InterCity East Coast franchises.

Transport: Smartcard Ticketing

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will require smartcard bus concession passes in England to be capable of being loaded onto railway-compatible smartcards.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: The Department for Transport's preferred option, subject to consultation and discussions with suppliers, is to require that the English national concessionary travel pass must be an ITSO-compliant smartcard.
	These smartcards will be compatible with any other ITSO scheme, including railway smart ticketing schemes that are ITSO-compatible. It will be possible to load other ITSO products for use on the railways with compatible smart ticketing systems onto the concessionary travel pass.
	The Government have specified the introduction of ITSO smart ticketing systems on the five new rail franchises—the South Western, East Coast, Cross Country, West Midlands and East Midlands. These ticketing systems would be compatible with the English national concessionary travel pass if it was specified that the passes must be ITSO smartcards.

Vehicles

Lord Faulkner of Worcester: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of registered vehicles in the United Kingdom are commercial vehicles or company cars; what proportion are privately owned cars; and what is their estimate of the total mileage travelled in the United Kingdom by each of these categories.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Statistics on vehicles licensed at the end of 2006 in Great Britain are available in Vehicle Licensing Statistics 2006. The data requested are available in tables 1.1 and 1.3 of this report. A copy of the report, published on 28 June 2007, was placed in the House of Lords Library and it is also available at: www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/vehicles/licensing/vehicle licensingstatistics2006
	The latest estimates of annual mileage travelled by different types of vehicle in Great Britain are available in table 1.1 of Road Transport Statistics for Great Britain 2005. A copy of this report, published on 6 July 2006, was placed in the House of Lords Library and it is also available at: www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/roadstraffic/traffic/rtstatistics/roadtrafficstatistics2005int5419.